Finding the Right Folding Table

Whether you're looking for a table to set out the goodies at your next picnic or planning an office seminar, you'll find a great solution with a folding table. Not only are they affordable, they are also low-maintenance and can be easily stored when not in use.

Folding tables can be made from a variety of materials and come in a large selection of shapes, sizes, and prices. Before choosing the right folding table for you, it's important to consider what you are going to use it for.

Size and shape
If the folding table is to be used for dinner seating or as a buffet table for social gatherings and picnics, it's better to go for a narrower-sized, longer table that will accommodate more guests and offer additional table space.

A table for a training or conference room should also be a long, rectangular table with ample leg room to comfortably seat attendees, while a work table for the garage can be square or rectangular.

A table for playing cards or other family games is usually square-shaped, and such a table can also be used for sewing, needlework, or for gift-wrapping during the holiday season.

Indoor or Outdoor Use
Whether you plan to keep the table indoors or use it outside help determine your choice of folding table. While wood tops are exceptionally sturdy, they last longest when used indoors. Tables with plastic or vinyl tops are not only ideal for both indoors and outdoors, they can also be cleaned easily with a soap and water solution.

Material
Folding tables made of tubular steel, rust-proof aluminum, or other metals are built for years of hassle-free use. Designed to combine sturdiness and convenience, folding tables with metal legs topped with wood, plastic, or vinyl tops have recently gained popularity.

If you feel that a folding table with a wood top is a bit on the higher end, you can opt for a table made of particle board with fused-on melamine top. While as strong and stable as wood, a particle board with a laminate top offers great value for the money and is also extremely attractive.

Weight
Try to be comfortable with the weight of the folding table you buy. Some of the sturdier tables may weigh a little more than the lighter ones, while a number of very solidly built tables can be surprisingly lightweight.

Storage
If you have a space constraint, make sure your folding table can be easily stored when not in use. Many tables can be stowed away in compact places, whereas some need additional space for storage.

For schools, churches, or banquet halls, be sure to use convenient, easy-stacking table carts to make carting and storing of folding tables quick and easy.